Is there a trail of oil on your warehouse floor? Your forklift may be experiencing an oil leak. An oil leak can potentially be harmful to pedestrians, other forklifts, and the leaking forklift. With less oil to lubricate the mast and other parts, friction and higher than average temperatures could ruin your truck.
There are several reasons why you should seek immediate attention for the oil leak:
Overheating
While forklifts have several gallons of oil reserved for cooling parts, leaking will still drain this oil. Without this oil, forklifts are at risk to overheat. This temperature can rise to 3000 degrees Fahrenheit. The heat has the potential to destroy the most expensive parts to repair, such as the pumps.
Contaminants
Similar to heat, dirt and other contaminants will destroy a forklift. When a forklift is leaking oil, it is easier for outside elements to enter the forklift. The contaminants will clog oil filters, spool valves, and other parts; this makes the clutch packs slip contaminate the oil. Anything that does not belong in the engine or other parts could result in major damage or destroy the forklift.
Safety precautions and Accidents
Oil on the floor could create danger for both individuals and equipment near it. Workers become vulnerable to accidents and injuries from slipping on the oil. Due to high temperatures of these fluids, severe burns can occur from an unattended leak. The mixture of oil or other fluids also is a fire hazard. Any item with oil could burst in flames, if there is a source of ignition nearby. Not only to protect those around the spill and the equipment, employers should always be aware of the fines they may face from OSHA, Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Oil leaks are considered a workplace hazard by OSHA.
High Operational Costs
A consistent oil leak could result in constant refilling of fluid to keep the forklift operating. While this is not the best solution, many use this option to continue to work. Finding the reason for the leak can be difficult, but the cost of the repair is less expensive over time than continuing to refill the fluid.
Machine Downtime Losses
With repairs and malfunctioning forklifts, operators are not able to complete their tasks. Less productivity and efficiency are sure to cost the business money and increase the list of responsibilities to be completed. One of the reasons to invest in a repair, rather than refilling the oil, is the amount of time spent letting the components cool down. While the warning signs may be pesky, the potential costs and damages can be prevented with the proper service.
